USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Elkhart County, Indiana > Part 20
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Nappanee is not only in the midst of a most thriving agricultural country but the town has distanced in commercial and manufacturing enterprise and importance all her neighboring country trading points, and is at present only rivaled by the cities, in the center of which circle she is happily situated as the medium whereby farming lands and town property is advanced in value. The county-seat, Goshen, is seventeen miles to the northeast; Elkhart. the largest city in the county, to the north eighteen miles; Mishawaka and South Bend, twenty-four and twenty-eight miles to the northwest: Plymouth, twenty-two miles to the northwest; and Warsaw twenty-two miles to the southeast. This circle of cities is made up of county seats, excepting Elkhart and Mish- awaka. Thus Nappanee becomes an important factor commercially and socially to St. Joseph, Marshall and Kosciusko counties, from which counties people come to trade, as well as a political factor in her own, Elkhart county, on whose extreme southern border the town is situated. Nappanee's corporation is one mile square and the south corporation line is on the county's border line with Kosciusko county, three and one- half miles from the Marshall county line and about the same distance from St. Joseph county. Main street in Nappanee, running north and south, divides Locke and Union townships in Nappanee. Those older towns some eight or ten miles distant, which were once competitive points for Nappanee's merchants-Milford, Bremen, Wakarusa and Bourbon-are now no longer drawing factors from this vicinity, so rapid has been the growth of Nappanee and the care exercised by her people in keeping in touch with the farming community.
There is considerable interest in the early history of Nappanee. The early settlers are here now, and with them their children and grand- children. The inception of the town followed the construction of the
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Chicago division of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in 1873. The first station house was that now occupied by the Unger millinery rooms and stood about where the stock pens are now located. Henry Eby was the first station agent, he and his brother George residing at Locke. Mr. Eby also had the first goods on sale here, occupying room in the station house, which stood in the edge of the timber. The original town site was laid out on the farms of and by Messrs. Daniel Metzler, John Culp. Jr .. and Henry Stahly, Sr., about the middle of December, 1874. and lots were offered for sale. The present Dietrich corner was laid out in a clearing or " deadening " with tall timber standing here and there. This station was then called Locke Station. The railroad officials called the interested parties together to select a name. . All the names suggested were not acceptable to the railroad people, as they were similar or alike to some other station on the line. George Eby was in the council and he suggested Nappanee, an Indian name. This was rejected by those interested, though agreeable to the railroad people. who then said that it should remain Locke Station. When the town was surveyed and the proposition for a postoffice eventually came up the name Nappanee was selected as previously suggested, there already being a Locke, and the railroad people at once adopted the new name, spelling it Napanee. When it was adopted by the postoffice depart- ment at Washington the second " p" was added.
The B. & O. Railroad seemed then to have been the only induce- ment for people to buy these lots, for there were no other natural ad- vantages aside from the distance from other trading points. Notwith- standing that the town was laid out on the " water shed "-the highest point of ground in this part of the country- the water on the north side of Market street finding its way into the Great Lakes and the water on the south side of Market street flowing on to the Gulf via the Kan- kakee, the early home-seeker found considerable water on the "shed." The town site was closely bordered by the forest on the southeast, and swamp ash prevailed along the willows and huckleberry bushes on por- tions of the town lots. There was an abundance of timber adjacent. In fact Messrs. J. C. Mellinger and B. F. Myers located a sawmill here in 1873, prior to the time of laying out the town, the mill standing where the M. E. parsonage now is. However, these gentlemen resided in Locke, a then prosperous village two and a half miles north and west, at the time the town was platted in 1874. Up to January, 1875, a large number of lots had been sold, but no one had attempted to erect a dwell-
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ing thereon or to enter the new town as a citizen. There was no road south of the public square then. It was anything but an inviting propo- sition. But early in that January C. D. Volkmann, at present local machinist and boiler-maker, was looking for a location to begin anew the battle for this world's goods, having lost his dwelling in a New Paris fire. The only lots within his then financial reach were lots 37 and 38 in the John Culp, Jr., original plat. AA now rusty document drawn by the late Robert H. Walburn under date of January 11, 1875, in the form of a mortgage contract, shows that Mr. Volkmann came into possession of the two lots by paying twenty dollars cash and an agreement to pay a balance of sixty dollars. He obtained these lots on a promise to erect a house and move his family to the new town site. A few days after found Mr. Volkmann erecting the first dwelling house ever built in Nappanee, assisted by his brother-in-law. Eli Hoklerman. The weather was below zero and they worked by a rail fire. On February 3 follow- ing he moved his family into the little house, thus becoming the " oldest inhabitant " of Nappanee hy actual settlement on the then town site. In front of the house was a wheat field, in the rear was a frog pond. In the meanwhile he and his brother-in-law opened a blacksmith shop on one lot. Another industry to enter the town was a planing mill owned by the late Joseph Strohm. This, together with the sawmill, was the early beginning of the large consolidated industry of the present. John D. and Frank Coppes as young men beginning the sawmill work here on the Mellinger mill in 1873, and afterward becoming financially inter- ested, buying the Myers' interest and finally absorbing the Strohm plan- ing mill in 1879. Two years later Samuel D. Coppes, the present banker. joined hands with his brothers and their brother-in-law, Mr. Mellinger, who in 1884 disposed of his interest. and the firm name became Coppes Brothers & Zook, and continued success brought consolidation of grow- ing interests and the present name of Coppes, Zook & Mutschler Com- pany.
In the meanwhile other industries followed and mercantile interests expanded as the country became cleared up and the town grew. After a short period of about fourteen years (short when compared with the experiences of hundreds of towns ). Nappanee outgrew her township garb and assumed affairs municipal.
The town government will be somewhat changed under the latest laws governing cities and towns. But up to and at the present time it is governed by a board of four trustees elected by the people of the entire
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corporation. Likewise, is a town clerk, a marshal and a treasurer elected. The board of town trustees in 1905 is as follows: Charles Klaus, Will- iam Pollock, John Hartman and William Miller. The town clerk is O. G. Reinoehl; town treasurer, H. E. Coppes; town marshal, George Weyburn, and merchant night officer, Lee Hare.
Municipal improvement has kept pace with business development. The water and lighting system is a matter of pride to the citizens, and since the condition of streets, the supply of wholesome and abundance of water, and light for public and domestic purposes are among the features of a town which are first considered by the prospective citizen, Nappanee is fortunate in having given attention to these improve- ments at an early stage in her career. The water supply of Nappanee is pumped from a depth of one hundred and fifty-nine feet. To obtain adequate pressure for fire protection and other purposes the standpipe has been carried up one hundred and sixteen feet, above which is a steel tank, only recently placed in position, with a capacity of seventy- five thousand gallons. The pressure is fifty-four pounds to the square inch. To light the town about twenty-five large arc lights are main- tained, and over two thousand incandescent bulbs. Economy and efficiency are both promoted by having the water works and electric light plant combined into practically one institution. in one building and under the same management. Those in active control of this municipal industry are Joseph E. Spicer, electrician. and John Pfefferle. engineer.
Usually the first question asked about a country town by one who wishes to bring up a family therein is: " What is the character of its schools?" Among those institutions of which Nappanee is proud and which have made an impression on the outside world, so to speak, are the public schools. Every town and hamlet has its public schools, to be sure. But the educational facilities are far from being equal. In this respect Nappanee stands among the best. The Nappanee schools have not always been what they are now, but they have always been abreast of the growth and prosperity of the town and its best en- deavors, until at the present time they have forged ahead of many educational institutions in more pretentious cities and towns than Nappanee.
For the past ten years Professor S. W. Baer, at the head of the schools, with a competent corps of teachers numbering ten at the present time, has devoted his time and energy to promoting the edu-
NAPPANEE HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING
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cational facilities of the Nappanee schools and with great success. Ife retires from school work this season. The Nappanee high school was organized in September, 1895. the beginning of Professor Baer's superintendency, with a four years' course. In 1898 the school was given its first commission from the state. The commission was re- newed in 1902 and again in 1905. This commission authorizes the superintendent of schools to certify pupils for admission to the various state colleges. In 1904 the high school was put upon the diploma list for the University of Michigan, Northwestern University, the Uni- versity of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware. Ohio. Besides the state colleges and the above named universities the graduates of the Nappanee high school are admitted without examina- tion to De Pauw University, Franklin College, Wabash College. Butler University, Earlham College, in fact all the higher institutions of learning both state and denominational in the state of Indiana. During the history of the high school there have gone forth from its halls eighty-four graduates, forty-four girls and forty boys. The opening of the September term brings to the schools a new superintendent in the person of Professor Charles F. Miller, of North Manchester, an educator of broad experience and recognized ability. The board of education is comprised of two manufacturers and one professional man : Frank Coppes. president ; David F. Miller, secretary; Dr. Willard .1. Price, treasurer.
Nappanee is a city with twelve hundred church members and eleven hundred and eighty-seven Sunday-school attendants, and in its religious life is no less progressive than as a commercial and industrial center.
The Methodist Episcopal church was founded here in 1874: mem- bers enrolled at this time two hundred and forty; services every Sunday; Hanson C. Smith, pastor. Sunday-school enrollment one hundred and ninety. W. E. Weldy, superintendent.
The Mennonite church was founded here in 1870. Its present membership is one hundred. Services are held every alternate Sunday evening and alternate Sunday morning. D. Burkholder and N. Metzler. pastors. Sunday-school enrollment one hundred and forty; Frank Maust. superintendent.
The United Brethren church was founded here in 1874: present enrollment of members one hundred and eighteen : services every Sunday.
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J. C. Albright, pastor. Membership of Sunday-school one hundred and fifteen. R. F. Yoder, superintendent.
Amish Mennonite church founded here in 1875 with thirteen mem- bers ; present enrollment one hundred and four ; services alternate Sun- days, mornings and evenings: James H. McGowan. pastor. Sunday- school membership one hundred and eight, John H. Walters, superin- tendent.
The German Baptist ( Dunkard ) church was founded here in 1883: present membership one hundred and seventy: services every Sunday ; David Metzler, pastor. Membership of Sunday-school one hundred and seventy, Charles Reed, superintendent.
The Progressive Brethren was founded here in 1888: present mem- bership two hundred and ten; services every Sunday; H. B. Flora. pastor. Sunday-school enrollment one hundred and eighty. James Cosper. superintendent.
The Evangelical church was founded here in 1891 : present enrolled membership one hundred and ten: services every Sunday night and alternate Sunday morning's: Clifford D. Rarey, pastor. Sunday-school membership one hundred and twenty-four. P. E. Reinggenberg, super- intendent.
The Lutheran church was founded here in 1901 : membership forty : services every Sunday: A. L. Boliek, pastor. Membership of Sunday- school sixty-nine: James B. Long, superintendent.
The Presbyterian church was founded here in September. 1899: present membership forty : services every Sunday : Campbell L. Mackay. pastor. Enrollment of Sunday-school forty-three. Arthur .A. Laughlin, superintendent. This is the only congregation without a church build- ing, but plans are already adopted and a church will be built this summer at a cost of from five to six thousand dollars. At this time services are held in the Auditorium.
Mennonite Brethren in Christ church has a membership of sixty- five: services every Sunday morning and alternate Sunday evenings : C. K. Curtis, pastor. Sunday-school membership fifty. Frank Baker, superintendent.
Elsewhere we have spoken of the principal manufacturing interests of Nappanee. Some of the business and professional men and firms of the city in 1905 are as follows: Enos Newcomer, jeweler : S. W. Craige. grocer : N. A. Lehman, furniture and undertaking : Howenstein, Burbach
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and Rusher, hardware; Hartman Brothers, general merchandise ; Shively Brothers, manufacturers and dealers in harness and horse furnish- ing goods; the Nappanee Carriage Co .: J. M. Weygand and Co., furniture; Weiss and Frevert Brothers, hardware, etc .; the Coppes Hotel; John S. Hayes, agricultural implements; J. S. Walters, drugs ; Elias Blosser, shoe dealer: Neff Brothers, farm implements; Straus Brothers, bankers and real estate dealers; George E. Miller, photog- rapher; Nappanee Steam Laundry; Ulery Brothers, farm implements ; Amasa H. Kaufman, department store: D. Rickert, dry goods and groceries ; Nappanee Telephone Company; C. W. Johnson and Co., drugs : J. W. Rosbrugh, shoes and clothing ; while of those who follow professional vocations are, J. O. Kantz, attorney, Charles P. Linger, attorney, John S. MeEntafer, attorney; John S. Inks, M. D., Chas. A. Inks, M. D., Willard Arthur Price, Ph. G., M. D., Melvin D. Price, MI. D., Henry J. Defrees, M. D., Robert S. McCormick, M. D., John D. Scott, dentist. Edwin D. Stuckman, M. D.
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CHAPTER NIH.
COMMUNICATION.
Heaven forming each on other to depend. A master, or a servant, or a friend. Bids each on other for assistance call. Till one man's weakness grows the strength of all -POPE.
Man cannot live alone: he must communicate with others. We are parts of a great organism. So it is with communities. The time came when the railroad and telegraph brought them in closer relations with each other; but even from the first there was communication with the outside world, for absolute isolation is impossible. At first there were no railroads leading out from the eastern cities across the great valley of the Mississippi. The mountain ranges and dense forests were great barriers between the east and Indiana and Michigan territory. There was a canal from Troy to Buffalo, there were a few steamers on the great lakes, and there was a short horsecar railroad running out of Toledo. There were no roads, but in place of them were Indian trails.
In all lands, however primitive and barbarous, even in the dense forest fastnesses of Africa or South America, there are passages leading from one locality to another. The word best descriptive of such courses of early communication is " trail." Before civilization introduced sci- entific road making, wild animals were doubtless the markers and sur- veyors of roads. The narrow, decp-worn, and wavering path through the woods, indicating the route of the deer or bear or other wild denizeu between its lair and the spring where it quenched its thirst or the spot where it sought its quarry, was the course which the Indian, and later the white man, took in going through the woods or across the prairie. Trails are easily made, as anyone may know who observes how quickly the turf of a park or meadow is demarked by the regular passage of human feet. And as the wild animal pushed its way through the brush and trees, pursuing the easiest and therefore a winding course to its goal. it left some evidence in the broken twigs and bent bushes and trampled grass of its progress, so that the next creature bound in the same direction would pursue the same way and better define it, until
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a new trail was marked out. Thus the animals were the first road makers, and blazed the way for their immediate successors, the roving Indians. The latter would naturally extend and connect the trails of animals into certain long avenues of travel across the country, which they would follow in making their pilgrimages from one hunting ground to another or for their war expeditions.
Thus it happened that when the white man first came to northern Indiana, as was also true of any other part of our country, he found certain courses of communication already marked out, and these were used by the pioneers until better, broader, straighter and more direct roads could be made. Oftentimes these old trails formed the most practicable and convenient route of travel. and were consequently the basis of a highway ordered and constructed by the state or county. In Elkhart county the familiar Indian trail from Fort Wayne was long the only route of travel between the latter place and points in Michigan territory.
The establishment of county roads was among the first acts of the county officials after the organization of the county. In the record of the board of justices, under date of November 7. 1831, is found a report rendered on a state road running from Logansport via Turkey Creek and Elkhart prairies to the northern line of the state in direction of Pigeon Prairie. Then in the March session of 1832 the "River Road " was reported on, this extending from the western line of the county, mainly following the course of the St. Josephi river on the south side, to Pigeon Prairie. Also an item in the record of the session in May, 1832, order- ing that all public roads be laid out in the various districts, shows the progress that communication was making at that early date.
The well known Fort Wayne road was the third to be reported on, the report being made under date of May 31. 1832. This extended from Fort Wayne, via Goshen, to South Bend. Road No. 4, ordered opened at the September session of 1832, was from the west line of the county on the north side of the St. Joseph, as far as Christiana creek, and thence in a northerly direction to the state line.
From this time on the commissioners' records are filled with re- ports of proposed roads in various parts of the county, and many roads were surveyed and opened up for traffic within a few years. It soon became evident to the county fathers that the highways were not suffi- ciently wide, and therefore at the November session of 1836 it was
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ordered that all county roads should be made forty feet wide, whereas they had been thirty or thirty-three in width.
The early public highways were of course, compared with even our present day standards, indescribably rough, muddy, ill-graded, ill-drained and generally inefficient. During the wet seasons in particular the roads were bad, so that a traveler returning from journeying west, when asked if he had been through Indiana, replied that he did not know for sure, but thought he must have been nearly through it in some places. Latterly, however, there has been an agitation for good roads. The subject occupied considerable time and attention at the Columbian expo- sition in 1893, as also at the St. Louis exposition, and is continually being debated at special congresses, good road conventions, in state legisla- tures and farmers' institutes. The country is waking up all along the line to the importance of having good roads. The general government is taking a special interest in the matter. Several of the states have started out in the good road cause. While it costs a large sum of money to build and keep in repair a good road it is as nothing to the cost of a poor road. There is no greater drawback to the development of a country than poor roads. They keep back a good country and they are death to a poor one. If farmers were fully to realize how much they would gain by improving their roads to town they would not rest until they were put into fair condition.
Elkhart county has not been behind other counties in the good roads movement. Some excellent macadam roads may be found along the main traveled routes, and something additional is being done each year. . \ great improvement over former times has been wrought, and the difference this has made in the transportation of produce to market is wonderful. Now farmers living along or near the line of these roads can come to town with all that their wagons can hold up. with comfort to their teams and themselves. These roads have been the means of opening many good farms where before was a wilderness, and the value of lands has greatly increased. Of course they have cost in the aggregate a great deal of money. but the increase of values by these improvements fully repays those who have to hear the expense. It was improved roads that made possible the change from ox teams to horses, and again from wagons to buggies; and how do we know but that in a few years the roads will be so hard and smooth in all weather, and automobiles will be so improved, that the farmers will go speeding
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into town with their crops loaded in a motor wagon? And this is no visionary forecast.
Good bridges are a part of good roads, and the county has been careful to provide them. During the early days the streams were either crossed at fords or by means of ferries. When the Rev. Isaac McCoy passed through the county on his way to the Carey Mission in 1824 and came to the confluence of the St. Joseph and Elkhart he crossed the former on a rough pirogue, and in the passage the boat was overturned and it was with much ado that the possessions and persons of the com- pany were rescued. But gradually the ferries gave place to bridges, and side by side with the records ordering new roads will be found ap- propriations for needed bridges in the county. With the development of the county the rude structures spanning the streams gave place to better, safer and more beautiful ones; at first wooden bridges and lat- terly, in many cases, stone and iron ones.
Perhaps some of those yet living in the county can remember the old ferry maintained at the mouth of the Elkhart river for some years. A license to establish such a ferry on the St. Joseph river was granted to Havilah Beardsley at the May session of the commissioners in 1832. This license was granted in consideration of a payment to the county of four dollars per annum, and that the boat used as a ferry boat should be forty feet long by nine broad. The tolls fixed ranged from seventy- five cents for each wagon with six horses or oxen, to one cent for each head of sheep, hogs or goats.
There is a story of the primitive times when each traveler was hailed with the salutation, " What is going on in the outside world? " and the weary wayfarer was gladly fed and housed in return for the information that he might impart to the household concerning the events transpiring beyond the immediate community. In truth there was a time when news-if such it could be called when it was often very old when it reached the hearers-had no regular lines of dissemination and was carried only by the chance traveler. All pioneer communities have experienced such a situation to some degree, and the early settlers of Elkhart county had little definite connection with the outside world. although living in a comparatively modern age and only a few years before the invention of the telegraph.
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